This six-hour instructor-led course, "AWR 209 Dealing with the Media: A Short Course for Rural First Responders," will give emergency responders skills and knowledge needed to quickly adopt the role of a public information officer if and when needed and to communicate through news media.

Whether it be roadside, at the scene of an emergency or in a crisis situation, rural first responders are often thrust into the role of a public information officer fielding questions from the news media and working with media outlets to quickly and effectively communicate information to the public.

The Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium is making it easier for emergency responders in Stroudsburg, to step into that role by delivering a free U.S. Department of Homeland Security certified media awareness course that provides valuable insight into helping to understand how the media works and how best to work with available media outlets.

Participants will learn both in a classroom-lecture setting and through group activities. Many rural first responder organizations do not have a full or part-time public information officer on staff, making this training valuable to learn about building media relationships and effective communication skills in giving information to news media.

All training delivered by RDPC is certified by Department of Homeland Security and is offered tuition-free for a broad scope of stakeholders in qualifying jurisdictions, including the traditional emergency response disciplines, and other emergency response functions as defined by the National Response Framework, as well as critical infrastructure owners and operators.

RDPC is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency National Training and Education Division partnership of academic institutions with a vision of creating an environment wherein rural communities across America will have the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to enhance the safety, security and quality of life for their citizens.

For further information, contact Jessica Melton, at 606-677-6000 or e-mail info@ruraltraining.org. To schedule this or any other RDPC training visit ruraltraining.org or call 877-855-7372.